Chicano folk artist Jaime Santiago Gonzalez has found a bit of heaven in a hip gallery made out of ancient river rock in a building more than 100 years old.

"We like to say this is our little corner," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez paints on recycled materials such as discarded window panes and often creates his version of Mexican cultural icons like La Llorona, the weeping woman.

Gonzalez, known in art circles as Jaime Santiago Gonzalez Aragon de Chuco y que, manages what is officially known as the Rock House Gallery and Cafe at 400 W. Overland in the Union Plaza area.

REPORTER

Ramón Rentería

The gallery is one of the regular stops on the city's monthly Last Thursdays Art Walk, which will mark its first anniversary in February. The monthly art walk promotes art venues and restaurants in the Downtown Arts District.

In recent months, the Rock House Gallery has become a haven of sorts for poets, musicians and visual artists -- those just starting out as well as widely known professional artists such as Gabriel Gaytan.

"It's getting more and more popular," Gonzalez said. "It's a great space that has potential."

Gonzalez has a large installation in the gallery that he calls the "Chicano totem pole," a painting of a child in the arms of La Llorona in the arms of the Virgin under a full moon.

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Three Dog Night, the popular 1960s and '70s band, made a recent pit stop at the Rock House Gallery. The group performed that evening at the nearby El Paso convention center as part of the Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta.

Photographer Michael Patino bought what is now the gallery and an adjacent house 13 years ago. He believes the building dates to the 1800s and once housed the Downtown neighborhood's water purification system.

For a while, artists used to gather on Fridays at the Rock House to share music, food and a little wine.

Eventually, Patino decided to transform the space into an arts and entertainment venue. He does not charge artists any kind of commission for exhibiting and selling art at the gallery.

"Here, it's just about getting noticed. Everything the artists create and sell is their profit," Patino said. "That's what makes the Rock House unique. How can you put a tax on something that an artist has created with his own imagination and hands?"

The gallery showcases art in a variety of media -- including micro art on your hand, highly detailed charcoal sketches, and handcrafted jewelry.

When the weather permits, the artists exhibit their creations outdoors on the sidewalk.

Art students from the University of Texas at El Paso and professional El Paso artists have added a collection of diverse outdoor murals to the Rock House Gallery.

The cafe portion of the gallery is not yet operating, but the space often hosts musicians, poets and other artists.

Later in January, the handful of artists that congregate at the Rock House plan to start offering painting, drawing and other kinds of workshops for children and adults.

"This is an art market, not a flea market," Patino said. "I would like to bring more of the art community together."

Artwork sits on the sidewalk outside the Rock House at 400 W. Overland in the Union Plaza District.

The bottom line: All artists are welcome at this venue. Rock House Gallery showcases a different artist every month.

Martin Medina, 24, a Juárez artist, comes to the Rock House to show off his elaborate charcoal creations.

"I'm getting to know more artists here in El Paso and Juárez and learning from their ideas," Medina said. "I like that the Rock House supports artists. It's a good space."

Kaycee Dougherty coordinates the Downtown Arts District for the city's Museums & Cultural Affairs Department. Dougherty is calling the Last Thursdays arts promotion program a success after its first year.

"It's a small program but we've had some good response," she said. "It's to promote the Downtown Arts District and help the area's economic impact."

Dougherty has seen the program grow as more private galleries and exhibition spaces in restaurants continue to sign up for the monthly arts walk. The city's museums usually stay open late to participate in Last Thursdays. The next event will be Jan. 30.

Carolina Rico, an El Paso artist originally from Juárez, creates what she described as hand art. She enjoys mingling with other artists.

"I get to learn about different cultures as well as other artistic styles," she said.

Damaris "JuJu" Aguirre paints and creates jewelry and miniature art.

"We're just a group of friends that like to sit here and inspire each other," she said.

Ramón Rentería may be reached at 546-6146.

What: The Rock House Gallery.

Where: 400 W. Overland in the Union Plaza area.

When: Regular hours are 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays. It's also open from 6 to 9 p.m. during the city's Last Thursdays Art Walks; the next one will be Jan. 30.